Maxwell's Shock Return: No Contract, But Big Impact for Victoria

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-23

### Glenn Maxwell Back in Victoria's Squad – Without a Contract Sometimes the best stories in cricket aren't about the biggest names on the richest contracts. They're about players who just love the game. Glenn Maxwell is proving that right now. Maxwell has been named in Victoria's One-Day Cup squad to face New South Wales this Friday. And here's the kicker: he did it just five days after captaining the Belfast Wolves in the ETPL final in Dublin. Talk about a whirlwind schedule. But what makes this really interesting? Maxwell retired from ODI cricket in early 2025. He doesn't hold a contract with Victoria or Cricket Australia. He was removed from CA's central contract list earlier this year. So why is he back? Simple. He wants to play. ### A Conversation That Turned Into a Comeback Back in the winter, Maxwell chatted with Victoria's coaching staff about his availability for the One-Day Cup. That conversation planted a seed. Now it's bloomed into a spot against NSW at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. This isn't his first rodeo since retiring from ODIs, either. He played two One-Day Cup matches for Victoria last September. One of them included his maiden List A century for the state. Pretty decent for a guy without a contract, right? Victoria's coach, Chris Rogers, isn't confirming whether Maxwell will stick around beyond Friday. The team has four more One-Day Cup fixtures before the BBL kicks off: September 25, October 12, October 24, and November 16. ### Scott Boland Gets One Last Tune-Up Before Test Duty Maxwell isn't the only big name returning. Test bowler Scott Boland will also suit up for Victoria on Friday. It's a quick pit stop before he flies to South Africa on Sunday to join Australia's Test squad. Boland missed Victoria's opening win over Queensland in Brisbane last week. So this is his one chance to get some match practice before the real thing. Rogers believes having contracted players like Boland around helps the younger guys. Not just because of what they do on the field, but because of the example they set. And with the AFL Grand Final happening the same weekend, Rogers thinks the crowd will be buzzing. ### Victoria's Squad Is Stretched Thin – But the Kids Are Alright Victoria are missing a bunch of players right now. Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Todd Murphy, and Fergus O'Neill are all with the Australia A squad in India. Ollie Peake is with Australia's ODI squad in South Africa. Most of them should be back for the October 12 match. Murphy, though, will stay with Australia A for three one-day fixtures ending October 11. Rogers admits fitting everyone back in will be tricky. But he's not complaining. The young guys have stepped up big time. Take the win over Queensland. Victoria chased down 336 after being 14 for 4. Debutant Liam Blackford and captain Will Sutherland both scored hundreds. That's the kind of depth that makes a coach smile. > "The depth being shown by uncapped players reflects positively on the structure of Victoria's playing program." – Chris Rogers So while the big names come and go, Victoria's future looks bright. And for now, Maxwell and Boland are ready to light up the Junction Oval under the new floodlights. It's the first day-night match at the venue, and it's shaping up to be a cracker.